Charitina of Rome

The holy martyrCharitina of Amisus (also known as Charitina of Rome) was born during the persecutions of emperor Diocletian (284-305) and martyred in the year 304. Her feast day is celebrated on October 5.

Life

The holy martyr Charitina was orphaned in childhood and raised like a daughter by the Christian, Claudius the Pious. The young woman was humble, very pretty and sensible, kind, and fervent in faith. She studied the law of God day and night and vowed to live in perpetual virginity as a true bride of Christ. She imparted to other people her love for Christ, and she converted many to the way of salvation.

In 302, during the persecutions under the Diocletian, the emperor's governor, Dometius, arrested her and subjected her to trials of horrible torments as she proclaimed her strong faith and confession of the Lord Jesus Christ. She prayed to God to receive her soul when the judge finally ordered her rape by dissolute youths. While kneeling in prayer her soul departed from her body to life internal. She died in the year 304.